Chapter 7: When Death Comes Knocking
Morning began as always in Berlin. Workers emerged from their homes before beginning the trek to work, hands in pockets and heads down. An uneasy atmosphere filled the air, almost like a bomb waiting to explode, with no one wanting to be around to see the explosion. A freshly painted, yellow star had imprinted itself on various shop windows, the notion of it being cleaned a mere fantasy. Various party members, including SS soldiers themselves, integrated with the crowd. The message was simple: we see everything. However, this wasn't going to intimidate, or even hinder, the Doctor.
Just as morning had truly announced its arrival, he emerged from the TARDIS, Donna in tow, a renewed sense of duty, and perhaps fear, about him. Slipping through the silent crowds without nothing but an occasional brush of his long coat, the duo remained unnoticed. Finally, as they reached the entrance to Wolfgang's street, the silence was broken.
''So, what are we doing again?'' hissed Donna, her breath billowing out like a flare- an ominous warning.
''We're going to talk to Wolfgang and decide our next course of action,'' replied the Doctor.
''Aren't we endangering them though?'' pointed out Donna.
''Yes, but as you pointed out, we're staying here because of them.''
''So, I really did persuade you?'' asked Donna, half-surprised, half-smug.
''Yes and no. You simply reminded me of something.''
''Which is what?''
''A promise. A promise I made to a child. Now shush, we're here.''
Two knocks on the exhausted wooden door was quickly followed by Wolfgang opening it and allowing the pair to enter.
''Doctor, I was worried about you!'' exclaimed Wolfgang as the door slammed shut. ''I was worried one of the SS had picked you up and taken you in for questioning.''
He glanced at Donna and seemed to hold back the word, again.
''Ha! They wish,'' snorted the Doctor. ''Now, we're here to talk about our next plan of action. I presume the children are at school?''
''Correct,'' confirmed Wolfgang. ''I'll make us some tea and then we can talk. Please, sit.''
He indicated to the tattered seats and left the room. The Doctor bounced into one, whilst Donna sat cautiously down on another.
A few moments of silence engulfed the room before Donna decided to break it.
''Doctor, how do you know we can trust him?''
The Doctor raised his eyebrows. ''Why shouldn't we?''
''I mean, he seems very keen to talk opinions and he is risking his life by harbouring us. What's in it for him?''
The Doctor sighed, wearily. ''Donna, not every German living in the Third Reich was evil, anti-sematic, war mongers. In fact, the Nazis at their height of popularity only had 45% of the vote! People obey because they have no choice. It's like having a gun to your head. Obviously you're going to do what the person with the gun says. Until the gun is gone anyway. It's called coercion power. Limited, not legitimate. The Nazis maintain their power through terror, not because they were popular. You're more likely to run into someone against the Nazis than for them. But people who are against them stay silent. Well, wouldn't you? I don't look at Wolfgang and see mistrust. I look at him and see hope. Hope that the future will be better. And that is why we need him.''
Donna smiled at the Doctor. This is why she travelled.
In a shadowy alley, a big blue box was suddenly wrapped in blue energy, before vanishing altogether. It reappeared in a room, with a swastika bearing down on it, and a Dalek glaring at it.
''THE TARDIS HAS BEEN PROCURRED,'' the Dalek shrieked. ''SEND THE MESSAGE AND BEGIN THE NEXT STAGE OF THE PLAN!''
''So, what can we do?'' inquired Wolfgang.
''I need to find out what the Daleks are up to,'' explained the Doctor, jumping to his feet and pacing around the room. ''Only then can we stop them.''
''But how do we find out?'' asked Donna, clasping her mug of tea with both hands, and willing heat to enter her shivering body.
''I don't know,'' breathed the Doctor.
''Maybe we could…'' began Donna before she was cut off by the Doctor shushing her. Again.
''Oi, you need to…''
''Donna, shut up and listen,'' hissed the Doctor.
A static noise was filling the room, so sharp that Donna covered her ears.
''It's coming from the kitchen,'' decided the Doctor, bounding across the living room, leaving Wolfgang and Donna to hurry behind.
As the trio regrouped in the kitchen, Wolfgang pointed to a corner and cried, ''It's the radio!''
''Of course!'' yelled the Doctor, making the other two jump. ''Radios were cheaply produced so that propaganda could be heard in the home.''
Catching sight of the others confused expressions the Doctor calmed. ''Sorry. I like remembering…stuff.''
''We noticed,'' said Donna, dryly.
''But, how did it turn itself on?'' frowned Wolfgang.
''That's second on the list, Wolfgang,'' explained the Doctor as he began scanning the radio with the sonic. ''First, who turned it on?''
''Hitler?'' suggested Donna.
''Nah, I imagine someone is locking him in a cupboard or something,'' grinned the Doctor, continuing to use the sonic. ''Not a popular man really. Well, he won't be soon. Now, all I need to do is boost the signal and we'll find out what's going on.''
Seconds later, the Doctor jumped backwards with an exclaimed 'ha!' and watched the radio closely.
Silence once again followed, before an unmistakeable grating voice echoed through the room. It caused Donna to drop her jaw, Wolfgang to gasp in shock and the Doctor to glare furiously as the voice spilled out, full of maliciousness and victory.
''DOCTOR! WE HAVE THE TARDIS. YOU WILL TURN YOURSELF IN TO THE NEW REICH CHANCELLERY, OR YOU WILL BE LOCATED AND YOUR FRIENDS WILL BE EXTERMINATED FOR ASSISTING YOU. YOU HAVE ONE HOUR.''
For a while no one spoke. It seemed pointless. The Nazis knew every corner of this city and hiding wasn't an option. They could run but they wouldn't last a day. The only option had been decided for them. There was no way back.
Well,'' whispered Wolfgang, ''at least now we know how we're going to find out what the Daleks are planning. We'll simply ask them.''
''No,'' growled the Doctor, his hatred of the Daleks bubbling away inside him, like a can of coke about to explode. Terror, bravery and angry battled inside him to become winner. But no one was a winner in this time, and in the end he decided on all three.
''It isn't 'we'. I'm not risking your lives. I'm going alone!''
A/N: Please review and get ready for the big explanation in Chapter 8!
